Post by onamirrorsedge on Apr 10, 2012 17:09:16 GMT -5
The Olympics in the UK: a pessimistic reading
In a few short months, the olympics will be hosted by Britain.
On the news we are daily subjected to the 'national excitement' surrounding this 'amazing', 'wonderful' event that we will witness but once in this country in our lifetime.
Suddenly, the Union Jack is everywhere, from stamps to files, wrapping paper, t-shirts and lamps. Unless, however, they decide to print this symbol of our 'heritage' on the toilet paper of David fucking Cameron and present his soiled goods on tv I fail to see this as representing the current situation in the way we are being told to read it.
Today, on the local news, the headline was not that a local boy from our town was killed in Afghanistan for a war that is further destroying our economy, one that is leaving thousands without care, pensions, treatment or rehabilitation or reason - nor was it about the elderly lady driving the wrong way on the motorway and killing a young family - and nor was it about the rising unemployment of the North, increasingly marginalised from London and the South, and where tax rates are increasing so to make us lose more money than public workers in London. No. It was about the sodding Olympics, and the group of vagabonds who have been chosen to carry the Olympic torch around England, essentially shutting our main roads and further reminding us 'ordinary' folk that while we can look - the police will be there to pepper spray anyone else. This sense of encompassing the nation, therefore, is once again designated to a select few who the conservatives deem fit to patronise.
A local group have recently set up a 'lets steal the torch' movement in Leeds. One which amuses me greatly, despite how disturbed it is.
There is little feeling that this actually matters, and to many, it is a ridiculous reminder of the extent entertainment and politics go together as a corrupting force, isolating many to the point of tickets by prestige rather than equal opportunities to see this 'historic event'.
Of course, there is the royal backing. And as we know the royals have hit an all time high in the popularity stakes because of young Kate Middleton. I like the girl, she has a brain. Rare for a public figure to manage even a full sentence let alone a degree (even if it is Art History - marginalised in academia I have to admit). Yet, I fail to see why this relationship being dramatised on tv actually changes what had been, until recently, increasing resentment towards the royal family. People fail to see the historical significance and stability offered by the royals (as well as income generated by tourists and their cameras in Ye Olde London Town) but dangle them a sniff of drama, romance and high-fashion, and we are returned to the Georgian obsession with the London elite, and emulating the most ridiculous because they are the most stylish because one does not want ennui, do they?! Reason - where we're going we don't need reason.
Now, near where I live there is a very rough little place. Not the worst, but a little example to qualify what I am talking about. The train station that connects this little haven to Leeds has been the site of multiple brutal attacks and rapes, to the point where there is literally a warning sign about the station all around the areas. Over the past year you know you are in trouble if you are even near there. Yet, is this station manned, policed, cctv'd? No, it is not. Not, I say, until Prince Charles decided to grace us with his presence. At this point, the station was blocked to the public, lots of cash spent making the area look spectacular and a red carpet placed for this marvelous occasion. This was a few weeks ago, and all looked fine. Then, days ago, when this place seemed transformed, a further attack on a young woman took place. Once again, does anyone really give a shhhhht when it is nothing to do with our great and power(less) monarchy.
Is it Charles' fault this happened. Of course not. Just like the Olympics is no bad thing (if you can handle all the tourists, the roads closed for days on end, the ridiculous propaganda we are being fed about the great British nation). The problem for me remains what these little parties represent, and just how far removed from real life they are. It feels like the celebrations of Orwell's 1984, or even the manic joy of the Koreans when seeing the face of little Kim.
Britain cannot afford to host this little shindig. Ordinary people, the ones it is meant to bring together, are being marginalised by the government decision on who is worthy or not to attend, to be involved, and to care, and, on the whole, people couldn't care less. Sure, the tourists will come and buy their union jack flags, but it might as well be toilet roll for all the difference it will make.
The truth is, England is a dead zone at the moment, the risk of a double dip recession is likely with a government that has no perspective or long term plan, and an opposition that no-one can take seriously. Of course, groups like the horrific BNP and independents are thriving, only seeking to endanger individuals within society who are only just becoming established anyway.
The one event the country would be prepared for is football related, as we are the masters of football stadiums and support. Instead, however, we are facing a make or break situation which I believe allows us to see the Olympics as a lens through which we can understand the tensions between ideology and reality within the country, and the serious corruption that is hindering the future hope for young people in the country.
Oh, and of course, the sodding Beckhams have been preparing us all by being photographed reading the Sun (illiterates of the world enjoying the boob fest - I feel - pretty well sums up the state of the country), but oh well, as long as the countries oldest woman gets the chance to walk down the street with the torch who are we to judge.
In a few short months, the olympics will be hosted by Britain.
On the news we are daily subjected to the 'national excitement' surrounding this 'amazing', 'wonderful' event that we will witness but once in this country in our lifetime.
Suddenly, the Union Jack is everywhere, from stamps to files, wrapping paper, t-shirts and lamps. Unless, however, they decide to print this symbol of our 'heritage' on the toilet paper of David fucking Cameron and present his soiled goods on tv I fail to see this as representing the current situation in the way we are being told to read it.
Today, on the local news, the headline was not that a local boy from our town was killed in Afghanistan for a war that is further destroying our economy, one that is leaving thousands without care, pensions, treatment or rehabilitation or reason - nor was it about the elderly lady driving the wrong way on the motorway and killing a young family - and nor was it about the rising unemployment of the North, increasingly marginalised from London and the South, and where tax rates are increasing so to make us lose more money than public workers in London. No. It was about the sodding Olympics, and the group of vagabonds who have been chosen to carry the Olympic torch around England, essentially shutting our main roads and further reminding us 'ordinary' folk that while we can look - the police will be there to pepper spray anyone else. This sense of encompassing the nation, therefore, is once again designated to a select few who the conservatives deem fit to patronise.
A local group have recently set up a 'lets steal the torch' movement in Leeds. One which amuses me greatly, despite how disturbed it is.
There is little feeling that this actually matters, and to many, it is a ridiculous reminder of the extent entertainment and politics go together as a corrupting force, isolating many to the point of tickets by prestige rather than equal opportunities to see this 'historic event'.
Of course, there is the royal backing. And as we know the royals have hit an all time high in the popularity stakes because of young Kate Middleton. I like the girl, she has a brain. Rare for a public figure to manage even a full sentence let alone a degree (even if it is Art History - marginalised in academia I have to admit). Yet, I fail to see why this relationship being dramatised on tv actually changes what had been, until recently, increasing resentment towards the royal family. People fail to see the historical significance and stability offered by the royals (as well as income generated by tourists and their cameras in Ye Olde London Town) but dangle them a sniff of drama, romance and high-fashion, and we are returned to the Georgian obsession with the London elite, and emulating the most ridiculous because they are the most stylish because one does not want ennui, do they?! Reason - where we're going we don't need reason.
Now, near where I live there is a very rough little place. Not the worst, but a little example to qualify what I am talking about. The train station that connects this little haven to Leeds has been the site of multiple brutal attacks and rapes, to the point where there is literally a warning sign about the station all around the areas. Over the past year you know you are in trouble if you are even near there. Yet, is this station manned, policed, cctv'd? No, it is not. Not, I say, until Prince Charles decided to grace us with his presence. At this point, the station was blocked to the public, lots of cash spent making the area look spectacular and a red carpet placed for this marvelous occasion. This was a few weeks ago, and all looked fine. Then, days ago, when this place seemed transformed, a further attack on a young woman took place. Once again, does anyone really give a shhhhht when it is nothing to do with our great and power(less) monarchy.
Is it Charles' fault this happened. Of course not. Just like the Olympics is no bad thing (if you can handle all the tourists, the roads closed for days on end, the ridiculous propaganda we are being fed about the great British nation). The problem for me remains what these little parties represent, and just how far removed from real life they are. It feels like the celebrations of Orwell's 1984, or even the manic joy of the Koreans when seeing the face of little Kim.
Britain cannot afford to host this little shindig. Ordinary people, the ones it is meant to bring together, are being marginalised by the government decision on who is worthy or not to attend, to be involved, and to care, and, on the whole, people couldn't care less. Sure, the tourists will come and buy their union jack flags, but it might as well be toilet roll for all the difference it will make.
The truth is, England is a dead zone at the moment, the risk of a double dip recession is likely with a government that has no perspective or long term plan, and an opposition that no-one can take seriously. Of course, groups like the horrific BNP and independents are thriving, only seeking to endanger individuals within society who are only just becoming established anyway.
The one event the country would be prepared for is football related, as we are the masters of football stadiums and support. Instead, however, we are facing a make or break situation which I believe allows us to see the Olympics as a lens through which we can understand the tensions between ideology and reality within the country, and the serious corruption that is hindering the future hope for young people in the country.
Oh, and of course, the sodding Beckhams have been preparing us all by being photographed reading the Sun (illiterates of the world enjoying the boob fest - I feel - pretty well sums up the state of the country), but oh well, as long as the countries oldest woman gets the chance to walk down the street with the torch who are we to judge.